Victoria BC – A lone VicPD K9 officer is responsible for the arrest of three individuals in a stolen vehicle while seizing weapons and solving a recent mischief.

Cst. LeQuesne and Police Service Dog (PSD) Diesel were patrolling in James Bay late on Sunday night when they spotted a grey Toyota Corolla station wagon that was recently reported stolen from a house in Sooke. This same car was believed responsible for a hit and run of a fence a day earlier in the 500-block of Marifield Avenue.

Cst LeQuesne queried the license plate to confirm that it was indeed stolen and cautiously approached.

The vehicle had three people inside, a driver, front passenger and rear passenger.

As Cst. LeQuesne and PSD Diesel exited the police vehicle, the driver of the stolen car did the same, and turned to walk away down Toronto Street.

Cst. LeQuesne called out to the suspect to stop and the man was taken into custody without incident.

The two other individuals in the car were ordered to stay where they were and officers arriving on scene took them into custody.

After all the suspects were arrested, Cst. LeQuesne searched the car. Inside, he located numerous knives, a baton and a modified ‘air-soft’ gun that was made to look like an exact replica of a Glock-style handgun.

“This is a perfect example of the great work our officers do day in and day out,” said Inspector Keith Lindner, Officer in Charge of VicPD’s West Division. “I’m very proud of Cst. LeQuesne and all the officers who work side-by-side with our communities to ensure everyone’s safety.”

The driver, a 19-year-old Victoria man of no fixed address, was returned to VicPD headquarters where officers are recommending numerous charges including two counts of possession of a weapon dangerous to the public, possession of stolen property, and five counts of failing to comply with a probation order.

Officers are also recommending the passenger, a 20-year-old Sooke man, be charged with possession of stolen property and possession of a weapon dangerous to the public.